What is massage?

Massage therapy is coordinated manipulation of soft tissues in order to soothe and normalize them. Therapists use a number of physical techniques including applying pressure, holding, or rubbing. Therapists primarily use their hands, but may also use their forearms or elbows. The primary aim of massage therapy is to help the body heal itself and to enhance overall health and well-being.

Benefits of massage:

When muscles are overworked, waste products accumulate in the muscle, consequently causing pain, stiffness, or muscle spasm. Massage improves circulation, which increases blood flow, bringing fresh oxygen to body tissues. This can assist the elimination of waste products, helps to heal after injury, and enhance recovery from illness.

Therapeutic massage can be used to promote general well-being and enhance self-esteem, while boosting the circulatory and immune systems to benefit blood pressure, circulation, muscle tone, metabolism, and skin tone. Massage also can help reduce stress and anxiety. We're all becoming more aware of the role stress plays in health. People who are stressed tend to be less healthy than people who are relaxed. Massage therapy is also effective in control of pain, chronic or acute, and in creating a sense of relaxation and well-being.

Massage is often a part of complementary and alternative medicine. It's increasingly being offered along with standard treatment for different medical conditions. Massage has been found helpful for:

Stress relief

Managing anxiety and depression

Pain

Stiffness

Blood pressure control

Sports-related injuries

Boosting immunity

Increasing metabolism

Improvement of skin and muscles tone

Beyond the above benefits, people enjoy massage because it often involves caring, comfort, a sense of empowerment and creating deep connections with their massage therapist.